If it's over a hundred years old, it's likely to interest me. 

 

I help domestic and commercial clients both pre and post-purchase with survey and consultancy works within my areas of expertise. 

 

Pre-purchase instructions are usually Level Three building surveys, specific defect investigations or damp and timber surveys*.

 

I do not undertake Level 2 Homebuyers surveys or any valuation work; however, if you need either of these services, I can put you in touch with someone who can help you**.

 

The cost of surveys is dependent on the size and complexity of the property and its location. Please see a table of recent fees on the When page. I am very happy to provide written quotations for work, however, if you are contacting multiple surveyors, I am likely to be the most expensive due to the detailed nature of my inspections and reports. Over the last year or so, fees have ranged from c. £800 for a small terrace house in Sheffield to £3,000 + for larger more complex properties. If you would like a quote, please email me a link to the property for sale and your timeframe requirements. If the property is off-market, the address and a brief description would be helpful. The fee includes a reasonable amount of time for discussion both pre-inspection and the following issue of the report. 

 

*If you are purchasing a property and your lender has made it a requirement of your mortgage that you get a damp and timber survey from a ‘Property Care Association' (PCA) registered contractor please note that I am not a member of the PCA as I do not share their views on moisture diagnosis and moisture and timber treatments. I previously encountered this several times a year through the consulting I did for Heritage House Surveys LLP. We have previously sent letters to lenders explaining our diagnosis methods and proposed remedial works and these often get accepted and we can proceed with the instruction. 

​

** This is me putting you in touch with someone whom I think can help you achieve what you want to achieve. This is not some sort of commission work or referral fee earnings, or whatever people are trying to dress it up as this week. It is a want on my part to be able to get people the correct advice and help when I am unable to help them. 

​

Post-purchase work includes:

​

Level Three Building Surveys – sometimes, homeowners do not feel confident in the advice they were given when purchasing their house or when they got the keys, they realised that there were more problems than they thought. They then want to start from scratch and have another survey so that they can re-focus their attention and usually their budget.

 

The fees for post-purchase surveys are dependent on the size, complexity and location of the property. When the client already owns the property, we can often remove some of the sections we consider to be unnecessary for post-purchase work in order to reduce the fees. 

 

Damp and Timber Surveys – if this was not required (just recommended) pre-purchase, or if clients are having lots of problems with moisture, they will sometimes require a full damp and timber survey. My damp and timber surveys are nearly as comprehensive as a building survey and depending on the size of the property, I am usually on site most of the day.

 

Again, the fees for this work are dependent on the size, complexity and location of the property. 

 

Consultancy – If clients have more specific problems or problems in isolated areas, I can come out and inspect specific issues. I can provide advice whilst I am at the property if the client is present, an email following the inspection with my thoughts and any recommendations or a full report.

 

I charge an hourly rate for consultancy of one hundred and twenty-five pounds, no VAT for inspection and report writing, and half rate for travel and mileage at sixty-five pence per mile.

 

Some defects/remedial works may require further research post-inspection. If I think you would be better off speaking to someone else about an issue, for example, a structural engineer/architect/mechanical and electrical consultant, I would be happy to recommend one as opposed to charging you for something I think someone else would be better experienced to assist with. 

​

Drone Surveys - I am a licenced and insured drone pilot and undertake high-level survey work and ariel photography for clients. 

​

Typical work includes inspection and report writing on defective roofs on domestic and non-domestic roofs (to comply with BS 5534), ariel photography for marketing purposes and setting out. 

​

Thermal Imaging Surveys - I can undertake basic thermal imaging work for things like draft detection, thermal bridging, moisture presence, wet cavity fill and leak detection.

 

Project Coordination – where clients need more ongoing assistance in addressing defects/refurbishment works, I can offer a project management service if the property is within a sensible distance of Sheffield. 

​

If you are in need of assistance with your project, please do give me a call/send me an email with the details and we can arrange a convenient time to meet to discuss. 

 

Other Matters - I try to help where I can; however, I am not an expert in all areas of property so if you need help with something that’s outside my area of expertise, I will try to put you in touch with someone else that can help.

​

​